# Episode 653 - U.S. Open Beer Championship Illinois Winners 2026

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/abv-chicago-craft-beer-podcast-201068/episode-653-u-s-open-beer-championship-illinois-winners-2026
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/abv-chicago-craft-beer-podcast-201068/episode-653-u-s-open-beer-championship-illinois-winners-2026.md
Podcast: [ABV Chicago Craft Beer Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/abv-chicago-craft-beer-podcast-201068)
Published: 2026-08-12T12:15:00+00:00
Episode link: https://abvchicago.libsyn.com/episode-653-us-open-beer-championship-illinois-winners-2026
Audio file: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/abvchicago/ABV_Chicago_653_US_Open_Winners_IL.mp3?dest-id=176039
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Duration seconds: 5705

## Resource

The U.S. Open Beer Championship, started in 2009, is the third-largest competition that recognizes and rewards beers from all over the world - and this year, Illinois brewers collected a considerable amount of hardware. We drink through five medal-winning beers while talking about the competition itself and looking back on some past years' winners as well. Also, Craig is thrust into an awkward "you-make-the-call" situation; Ryan recaps his U.S.O.B.C. mini-taproom tour, and we want to know exactly what makes a beer "extreme." Beers Reviewed Mikerphone Brewing - Misty Mountain Hop (Gold in American Pale Ale) Forbidden Root Brewing Company/Ology Brewing Co. - Sprinkles Required (Gold in Collaboration Beer) Flipside Brewing - Monochrome Dream (Bronze in New England/Juicy/Hazy IPA) Brothership Brewing - Exoplanet (Silver in West Coast Style IPA) Werk Force Brewing Co. - Humongous Chungus (Silver in Barrel-Aged Strong Stout/Porter Specialty)

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## Transcript

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